Cisco 2500 series
Encyclopedia
The Cisco 2500 series of routers are a series of 19" rack mount access routers typically used to connect Ethernet
or token ring networks via ISDN or leased serial connections (ie. Frame Relay
, T1
etc). The routers are based on a Motorola 68EC030 CISC processor. This line of routers is no longer sold or supported by Cisco Systems
.
The maximum flash memory is 16MB. A boot ROM
upgrade may be needed to use 16MB of flash.
The 2500 series uses 72pin FPM simms with parity
is a free software project that runs on the Cisco 2500. Originally when these units were manufactured, only the proprietary Cisco IOS
software was available.
. They were superseded by the Cisco 2600 series.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
or token ring networks via ISDN or leased serial connections (ie. Frame Relay
Frame relay
Frame Relay is a standardized wide area network technology that specifies the physical and logical link layers of digital telecommunications channels using a packet switching methodology...
, T1
Digital Signal 1
Digital signal 1 is a T-carrier signaling scheme devised by Bell Labs. DS1 is a widely used standard in telecommunications in North America and Japan to transmit voice and data between devices. E1 is used in place of T1 outside North America, Japan, and South Korea...
etc). The routers are based on a Motorola 68EC030 CISC processor. This line of routers is no longer sold or supported by Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
.
Models available
Fixed Configuration Routers | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Ethernet AUI | Token Ring | Serial (Sync) | ISDN BRI | Serial (Async) | Hub | Notes |
2501 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | - | - | - | Multiprotocol Router |
2502 | - | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | Multiprotocol Router |
2503 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | 1 | - | - | Multiprotocol Router |
2504 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | - | Multiprotocol Router |
2505 | - | - | 2 | - | - | 8 10Mbit/s | Router/hub |
2507 | - | - | 2 | - | - | 16 10Mbit/s | Router/hub |
2509 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | - | 8 | - | Router/access server |
2510 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 8 | - | Router/access server |
2511 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | - | 16 | - | Router/access server |
2512 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 16 | - | Router/access server |
2513 | 1 10Mbit/s | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | Dual LAN/multiprotocol router |
2514 | 2 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | - | - | - | Dual LAN/multiprotocol router |
2515 | - | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | Dual LAN/multiprotocol router |
2516 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | 1 | - | 14 10Mbit/s | Router/hub |
2520 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | 1 | 2 Low-speed | - | Multiport serial routers |
2521 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 Low-speed | - | Multiport serial routers |
2522 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | 1 | 8 Low-speed | - | Multiport serial routers |
2523 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 Low-speed | - | Multiport serial routers |
Semi-Modular Routers | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Ethernet AUI | Token Ring | Serial (sync) | ISDN BRI | Hub Module | Notes |
2517 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 available after connection with router | Router/Token Ring Hub |
2518 | 1 10Mbit/s | - | 2 | 1 | 23 available after connection with router | Router/Ethernet Hub |
2519 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 23 available after connection with router Two distinct rings available |
Router/Token Ring Hub |
Modular Routers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Ethernet | Token Ring | Available WAN modules | Notes |
2524 | 1 AUI or RJ-45 | - | 2-wire switched 56kbit/s DSU/CSU 4-wire 56/64kbit/s DSU/CSU Fractional T1/t1 DSU/CSU 5-in-one Serial (Sync) ISDN BRI (optional NT1) ISDN BRI with integrated NT1 |
3 WAN interface module slots: •2 Serial (Sync) •1 ISDN |
2525 | - | 1 STP(DB-9) or UTP(RJ-45) | 2-wire switched 56kbit/s DSU/CSU 4-wire 56/64kbit/s DSU/CSU Fractional T1/t1 DSU/CSU 5-in-one Serial (Sync) ISDN BRI (optional NT1) ISDN BRI with integrated NT1 |
3 WAN interface module slots: •2 Serial (Sync) •1 ISDN |
CiscoPro Routers
These routers were offered at a reduced price due to their reduced software feature set. They are characterized by a light grey/cream colored case compared to the standard dark grey colouringRAM/FLASH
The maximum ram able to be taken is 16MB.The maximum flash memory is 16MB. A boot ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
upgrade may be needed to use 16MB of flash.
The 2500 series uses 72pin FPM simms with parity
Software
uClinuxUClinux
μClinux stands for "MicroController Linux," and is pronounced "you-see-Linux" as explained on the website, not the way the Greek letter mu is normally pronounced. It was a fork of the Linux kernel for microcontrollers without a memory management unit...
is a free software project that runs on the Cisco 2500. Originally when these units were manufactured, only the proprietary Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS is the software used on the vast majority of Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches...
software was available.
History
The Cisco 2500 series was introduced in 1993 and reached end-of-sale in 2001. They were superseded by the Cisco 2600 series.